Market Pulse
Directors dealings: Sainsbury non-execs pick up shares
Sainsbury non-executive directors Brian Cassin and Susan Rice picked up shares in the grocer as its stock price neared its 52-week lows, despite the continued competitive pressures in the sector.
US close: Dow bounces after oil rally helps break seven-day fall
The Dow Jones snapped a seven-day losing streak on Wednesday as private sector jobs data raised expectations for the non-farm payroll report at the end of the week, abetted by a rebound in oil prices.
Swiss miner Ferrexpo's profits drop despite record sales volumes
Iron ore pellet producer Ferrexpo’s half year revenues and profits fell despite a rise in sales volumes to record highs.
Europe close: Banks buoy main equity benchmarks
European stocks wavered on Wednesday, but banks put in a solid performance following well-received earnings from the likes of Standard Chartered, HSBC, Societe Generale and Credit Agricole.
Federal Reserve fines Goldman Sachs $36.3m after document leak
United States investment bank Goldman Sachs has been fined $36. 3m by the Federal Reserve following accusations that it obtained documents from the US central bank for its own benefit.
London close: Stocks fall after weak services PMI
London stocks were in the red on Wednesday as a weak report on the UK services sector fuelled bets of an interest rate cut by the Bank of England.
StatPro swings to loss as cloud services take flight
Portfolio analysis tools provider StatPro Group posted its interim results for the six months to 30 June on Wednesday, with group revenue up 14% to £17. 55m from £15. 44m a year ago.
US oil futures jump after weekly inventory data
Energy futures jumped after a report on US crude and oil-product stockpiles revealed a large drop in the latter.
NetScientific's Vortex Biosciences won licence to four patents from Harvard
Biomedical and healthcare technology company NetScientific’s portfolio business, Vortex Biosciences, won a license to four patents from Harvard University.
InterQuest acquires US rival Rees Draper Wright
InterQuest took a majority stake in Rees Draper Wright with a view to expanding its footprint in the States and Europe.
NWF Group improves earnings despite challenging market
NWF Group reported a “robust performance in challenging market conditions” in its final results for the year to 31 May on Wednesday, with a revenue decrease of 5. 4% to £465. 9m reflecting lower oil prices in the Fuels division and the impact of lower commodity prices in Feeds.
Fruit and veg could become more expensive due to Brexit
Fruit and vegetables could become more expensive in the UK if foreign seasonal workers, who pick British produce, are barred from the country post-Brexit.
MTI Wireless Edge revenues rise on acquisition
Flat panel broadband antenna manufacturer MTI Wireless Edge announced its unaudited results for the six months to 30 June on Wednesday, with revenue increasing 41% year-on-year to $11. 3m, from $8. 0m, due to the acquisition of Mottech.
Lloyd's Novae remains "confident" about Brexit as profit soars
Lloyd's insurance underwriting company Novae said it was cautious about Brexit but remained “confident” that a London insurance company outside of the EU can flourish, as it reported a rise in half year profits.
US open: Stocks gain on better-than-expected private payrolls report
US stocks gained on Wednesday as data showed private sector employment rose more than expected in July.
EDF knew about Hinkley Point delay before board meeting
Energy supplier EDF, which wants to build the Hinkley Point nuclear reactor, knew that the UK wanted to take more time to review the project, before voting to go ahead with the plan, reported Reuters.
ISM non-manufacturing slips touch more than expected in July
Service sector activity in the US slowed a touch more than expected in July, according to figures released on Wednesday.
Avacta granted European patent for Affimer technology
European and US regulators handed down further patent decisions in favour of Avacta´s Affimer biotherapeutics and research reagents, helping the company to consolidate its intelectual property portfolio.
Fiat Chrysler facing lawsuit over Star Trek actor's death
US automaker Fiat Chrysler will face a lawsuit from the parents of former Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin, who was killed in a freak accident involving a Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicle.
US services sector expands at sluggish pace in July
The US services sector expanded at a sluggish pace last month, albeit faster-than-expected, according to data released on Wednesday.